Cutting board assembly

ABSTRACT

A cutting board assembly comprises a cutting board; a frame for supporting the cutting board thereon; and a drawer having a length, a width, and a depth defining a containment space for containing food therein, and having measuring increments marked along a length or a width thereof. The drawer is supported by the frame for sliding movement between a retracted position, in which the drawer is substantially retained within the frame and the containment space is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in which the containment space is substantially uncovered. A volume of food retained within the containment space may be measured using the increments marked along the length or the width of the drawer.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation patent application of, and claimspriority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/530,889, filed Sep. 11,2006, which '889 application published as U.S. patent applicationpublication no. U.S. 2007/0108685 A1 on May 17, 2007, and which '889application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§ 119(e) to Casale, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/596,922filed Oct. 28, 2005.

Each of the disclosures of these patent applications and publishedpatent application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

II. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cutting boards for use in cutting and preparing various food items aregenerally known. Further, cutting board assemblies including variouscomponents that aid in the cutting and preparation process are alsoknown. Examples of available cutting board assemblies include thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,904,271 to Collins, et al. and 6,651,970to Scott.

Collins et al. discloses a cutting board assembly including a cuttingboard surface having a pair of legs supporting the surface, a containerfor holding food that has been cut or prepared and a container fordisposing of waste produced during the cutting. The containers areseparate components that may be detachably connected to the cuttingboard surface when it is being used. However, there is no accommodationfor storing the containers integrally with the cutting surface when itis not in use.

Collins et al. also discloses that the container for holding food thathas been cut or prepared includes hash marks for measuring purposes. Thehash marks begin near a base of the container and extend up a wall ofthe container such that food volume may be measured based on the depthof the food in the container. This method of measuring volume may bewell suited for liquid or granular food items that have a tendency tolevel out in a container due to gravity. However, cut food items, whichare typically more bulky, solid foods, such as onions, peppers, celery,and the like, do not share the tendency to level out along the base of acontainer. In contrast, such food items tend to stack in mounds.Accordingly, the “bottom-up” volume measuring method of Collins et al.is not ideal for the typical type of food items that are cut using acutting board.

Scott discloses a cutting board assembly with multiple interchangeablecutting surfaces. The available surfaces include a perforated cuttingsurface, a cutting surface including a door hinged to the surface and acold cutting surface. Both the perforated surface and the surface withthe door provide access to a holding container under the cuttingsurface. For the perforated surface, the holding container provides areceptacle for juices or other fluids associated with the food beingcut. For the surface with the hinged door, the holding containerprovides many uses. Examples include holding waste from the food beingcut and holding the food that has been cut until it is used. The holdingcontainer slides into a base of the cutting board assembly and may bestored therein when the cutting board assembly is not in use.Unfortunately, in order to access the holding container, the hinged doorof the surface must be lifted thereby reducing the surface areaavailable for cutting.

A cutting board assembly addressing the shortcomings of availablecutting board assemblies would be desirable. For instance, a cuttingboard assembly providing a cutting surface free from obstruction inaddition to containers for holding cut food that may be stored withinthe cutting board assembly when it is not in use would be advantageous.Further, a cutting board assembly providing a means for measuring thevolume of cut food that is better suited to bulky, solid foods would beadvantageous.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. In a firstaspect, a cutting board assembly comprises a cutting board; a firstcontainer including a bottom, opposite side walls, and opposite endwalls, the opposite side walls and opposite end walls extending from aperiphery of the bottom to define a holding area wherein food items maybe retained; and a frame including opposite side walls and a supportplatform from which the side walls extend. The cutting board is retainedupon the support platform. The frame is configured to receive and retaintherein the first container such that the first container is movablebetween a retracted position, in which the first container issubstantially disposed interior to the frame and the holding areathereof is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in whichthe first container is substantially disposed exterior to the frame andthe holding area of the container is at least partially uncovered.

In a feature of this aspect, the cutting board defines an uninterrupted,generally rectangular cutting surface. In another feature, the firstcontainer further comprises a detachable first partition disposed withinthe holding area so as to define two compartments for holding fooditems. In accordance with this feature, the first partition is movablesuch that the volume of the two compartments may be varied and fooditems retained therein may be measured. With regard to this feature, thefirst container further comprises a detachable second partition so as soas to define two compartments on either side thereof for holding fooditems. It is preferred that the second partition is movable such thatthe volume of the two compartments may be varied and food items retainedtherein may be measured.

In an additional feature, the first container is slidably supported bythe frame such the first container may slide between the retractedposition and the protracted position. In accordance with this feature,the frame includes support ledges to facilitate movement of the firstcontainer between the retracted position and the protracted position. Inyet another feature, the first container is removable from the frame ofthe cutting board assembly.

In still yet another feature, the cutting board assembly furthercomprises a second container that is received and retained in the frameconcurrently with the first container being received and retained withinthe frame. In accordance with this feature, the second containerincludes a holding area defined by a bottom of the second container,oppositely disposed side walls of the second container, and an end wallof the second container. Furthermore, a wall of the frame, which isdisposed in fixed disposition relative to the frame, encloses theholding area of the second container. With regard to this feature, thesecond container is configured to move between a retracted position,wherein the bottom of the second container is substantially covered bythe cutting board, and a protracted position, wherein the bottom of thesecond container is at least partially uncovered, the volume of theholding area of the second container varying as the second container ismoved relative to the wall of the frame between the retracted andprotracted positions. In furtherance of this feature, the frame furtherincludes support ledges supporting the second container for slidingmovement of the second container between the retracted position and theprotracted position. With further regard to this feature, the secondcontainer is removable from the frame of the cutting board assembly. Itis preferred that the second container include a collection trough forcollecting liquids or fluids associated with cut food items placedtherein.

In a further feature, the cutting board is made of wood. In anotherfeature, the cutting board is made of polypropylene. In an additionalfeature, the cutting board is selectively removable from the supportplatform. In accordance with this feature, the cutting board isremovably retained within the support platform. With regard to thisfeature, the cutting board may be removed and replaced with analternative cutting board. With further regard to this feature, the sidewalls include indentations defining finger holds to facilitate removalof the cutting board from the support platform.

In yet another feature, the frame further comprises a peripheral top rimdefining a top opening through which the cutting board is seated on thesupport platform.

In a second aspect of the invention, a cutting board assembly comprisesa cutting board; a frame for supporting the cutting board thereon; and adrawer having a length, a width, and a depth defining a containmentspace for containing food therein, and having measuring incrementsmarked along a length or a width thereof. The drawer is supported by theframe for sliding movement between a retracted position, in which thedrawer is substantially retained within the frame and the containmentspace is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in which thecontainment space is substantially uncovered; wherein a volume of foodretained within the containment space may be measured using theincrements marked along the length or the width of the drawer.

In a feature of this aspect, the cutting board assembly furthercomprises a first partition configured to transect the containment spaceof the drawer. In another feature, the first partition defines twocompartments of the drawer on either side thereof. With regard to thisfeature, the first partition is movable relative to the drawer, wherebya volume of one of the compartments of the drawer may be reduced inorder to fill the volume of the compartment with food and therebymeasure the food within the compartment.

In an additional feature, the first partition comprises a wall that ismovable relative to the frame and is attached to the drawer for movementrelative thereto. In yet another feature, the cutting board assemblyfurther comprises a second partition configured to transect the volumeof the drawer in order to define two compartments of the drawer oneither side of the second partition. It is preferred that the secondpartition also is movable relative to the drawer. In still anotherfeature, the first partition comprises a wall of the frame. The draweris movable relative to the first partition when measuring a volume offood contained within the drawer. In accordance with this feature, thedrawer comprises a scoop.

In a third aspect of the invention, a cutting board assembly comprises acutting board; a frame including opposite side walls and a supportplatform supporting the cutting board thereon; and a drawer supported bythe frame at a side wall thereof, the drawer having a bottom andopposite side walls and opposite end walls extending from a periphery ofthe bottom to define a containment space. A partition divides thecontainment space of the drawer to define two compartments of thedrawer. The partition is movable relative to the drawer to vary thevolume of each of the compartments of the drawer. The drawer issupported by the frame for sliding movement between a retractedposition, in which the drawer is substantially retained within the frameand the containment space is substantially covered, and a protractedposition, in which the containment space is substantially uncovered. Ina feature of this aspect, the cutting board assembly further comprisesmeasuring increments enabling measurement of a volume of food retainedwithin at least one of the compartments of the container defined by themovable partition.

In a fourth aspect of the invention a cutting board assembly comprises acutting board; a frame including opposite side walls and a supportplatform supporting the cutting board thereon; and a scoop supported bythe frame at a side wall thereof, the scoop having a bottom, oppositeside walls, and an end wall extending from a periphery of the bottom anddefining a containment space that is open at one end of the scoop. Thescoop is supported by the frame for sliding movement between a retractedposition, in which the scoop is substantially retained within the frameand the containment space is substantially covered, and a protractedposition, in which the containment space is substantially uncovered. Theframe includes a partitioning wall extending downwardly from an end edgeof the support platform, the partitioning wall being disposed in fixeddisposition relative to the frame and extending within the containmentspace to define an end wall of the containment space of the scoop whenthe scoop is in the protracted position. In a feature of this aspect,the cutting board assembly further comprises a collection troughdisposed in the bottom of the scoop for containing liquids or fluidsassociated with cut food items retained in the scoop.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherincludes the various possible combinations of such aspects and features.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionwith reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an end perspective view of a cutting board assembly inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the cutting board assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side perspective view of the cutting boardassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the first end of the frame of the cutting boardassembly, shown with the first container removed;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the second end of the frame of FIG. 4, shownwith the second container removed;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the frame of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first container; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second container.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description of oneor more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

FIG. 1 is an end perspective view of a cutting board assembly 10 inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2is a side view of the cutting board assembly 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is anexploded side perspective view of the cutting board assembly 10 of FIG.1.

The cutting board assembly 10 is a self-contained system that includes acutting board 12, a frame 14, a first container 16, and a secondcontainer 18. The frame 14 is configured to support the cutting board 12on a support platform 20 thereof. The frame 14 is further configured tosupport the first container 16 and second container 18 such that theymay move between a retracted position, wherein the containers 16,18 aresubstantially disposed interior to the frame 14, and a protractedposition, wherein the containers 16,18 are substantially disposedexterior to the frame 14. The first and second containers 16,18 retractand protract from opposite ends 22,24 of the frame 14, with the firstcontainer 16 corresponding with a first end 22 of the frame 14 and thesecond container 18 corresponding with a second end 24 of the frame 14.

In the present embodiment, the cutting board 12 is rectangular, havingsides 30 disposed opposite one another and ends 32 disposed opposite oneanother. The cutting board 12 has a thickness defined between a topsurface 26 and a bottom surface 28 thereof. Further, the cutting board12 is generally planar with an obstruction-free top surface 26. Whenused, the cutting board 12 rests on the support platform 20 of the frame14. Further, the cutting board 12 is easily removed from the cuttingboard assembly 10. A user simply lifts the cutting board 12 from thesupport platform 20 to remove it. This feature enables easy cleaning ofthe cutting board 12. For example, the cutting board 12 may be removedand washed in a sink or a dishwasher and then replaced on the frame 14.Further, it is contemplated that the cutting board assembly 10 willinclude multiple cutting boards 12, which are interchangeable with oneanother as illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, multiple cutting boardsmay have the same dimensions but may be constructed from differentmaterials. Exemplary materials include wood and various plastics, suchas polypropylene.

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 14 includes the generally planar,rectangular support platform 20 having sides 34 disposed opposite oneanother and ends 36,38 disposed opposite one another and two side walls40 disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with one anotheralong opposite sides 34 of the platform 20. The support platform 20 isoriented generally orthogonal to the side walls 40 and is mounted to theside walls 40 near top edges 42 thereof. A first end 36 of the supportplatform 20 corresponds with the first end 22 of the frame 14, andsimilarly, a second end 38 of the support platform 20 corresponds withthe second end 24 of the frame 14. The side walls 40 of the frame 14generally define a width of the frame 14. The ends 22,24 of the frame 14generally define a length of the frame 14, and the height of the sidewalls 40 generally defines the height of the frame 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each side wall 40 has a bottom edge 44disposed opposite to a top edge 42, with the bottom edge 44 resting on asurface on which the frame 14 is placed. The side walls 40 slope in ageneral inward direction relative to one another from the bottom edges44 to the top edges 42 thereof such that the bottom edges 44 of the sidewalls 40 are disposed further apart from one another than the top edges42. As such, the width of the frame 14 narrows from the bottom edges 44of the side walls 40 to the top edges 42 of the side walls 40.

The support platform 20 is recessed a small depth within the frame 14thereby creating a recessed area 46 within which the cutting board 12may fit. The depth of the recessed area 46 generally corresponds to thethickness of the cutting board 12 such that when the cutting board 12 isplaced in the recessed area 46, the side walls 40 of the frame 14enclose side edges of the cutting board 12. In at least one embodiment(not illustrated), the top edges 42 of the side walls 40 generally alignwith the top surface 26 of the cutting board 12. In at least one otherembodiment, shown in FIG. 1, the bottom of the cutting board 12 isenclosed by the side walls 40 of the frame 14, but the top of thecutting board 12 extends above the top edges 42 of the side walls 40.

Each side wall 40 further includes an indentation 48 disposed centrallyalong a length of the side wall 40. A side handle 50 is attached to eachside wall 40 in perpendicular covering relation to each indentation 48,leaving a recess behind the handle 50. The indentation 48 provides spacefor a person's hand to grasp the side handle 50. The side handles 50provide convenient, easy means to pick up and carry the cutting boardassembly 10. Additionally, each side wall 40 further includes acentrally disposed notched area 52 in the top edge 42 thereof. Thenotched area 52 is dimensioned to accommodate fingers of a person's handsuch that the person may more easily grasp the cutting board 12 forremoval from the frame 14 using the notched area 52.

FIGS. 4-6 provide more detailed views of the frame 14. Moreparticularly, FIG. 4 is an end view of the first end 22 of the frame 14,shown with the first container 16 removed. FIG. 5 is an end view of thesecond end 24 of the frame 14, shown with the second container 18removed, and FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the frame 14. The first andsecond ends 22,24 of the frame 14 include end members 54 that areintegrally connected to the side walls 40 and disposed generallyorthogonally to the side walls 40. Each of the end members 54 comprisesan elongate connection arm 58 having opposite ends and opposite sides,an interior side 60 and an exterior side 62. The end members 54 areconnected to the side walls 40 such that the interior sides 60 of theconnection arms 58 are nearly vertically aligned with the ends 36,38 ofthe support platform 20, with the interior sides 60 of the connectionarms 58 being disposed slightly outside or exterior to the ends 36,38 ofthe support platform 20.

Bottom surfaces 64 of the connection arms 58 rest against or adjacentthe surface on which the frame 14 is placed, such as a kitchen counter.The end members 54 transition into joint panels 66 that extend upwardlyfrom the ends of each of the connection arms 58. The joint panels 66 aredimensioned to integrally connect the end members 54 to the side walls40 with a smooth sloping, aesthetically pleasing transition. As shown,for example, in FIG. 4, the panels 66 have a respective exterior surface68 that matches the slope of the side walls 40. They further have arespective interior surface 70 that connects with a top surface 72 ofthe connection arm 58 at each end 22,24 of the frame 14 to create anopening 74, having a generally “U”-shaped rim, at each end 22,24 of theframe 14.

As stated previously, the first end 22 and the second end 24 each have arespective end member 54 integrally connected to the side walls 40.However, each end has a unique feature that is not present in theopposite end. With each end 22,24, the unique feature aids inaccommodating the container 16,18 associated with the particular end22,24. For example, the first end 22 is configured to accommodate thefirst container 16. More specifically, a portion 76 of the first end 36of the support platform 20 is cut away. The cut away portion 76 isdimensioned to accept a feature of the first container 16 therein whenthe first container 16 is in the retracted position.

Likewise, the second end 24 is configured to accommodate the secondcontainer 18. More specifically, a planar partition 78 extendsdownwardly from the second end 38 of the support platform 20 inorthogonal relation to the support platform 20. As shown in FIG. 5, thepartition 78 extends downwardly into the opening 74 at the second end 24of the frame 14 and terminates near the top surface 72 of the connectionarm 58. A periphery 79 of the partition 78 mimics the shape of the rimof the opening 74. As such, a generally “U”-shaped slot or gap 80 isformed between the partition 78 and the rim of the opening 74 at thesecond end 24 of the frame 14. The slot or gap 80 is configured toreceive the second container 18.

As shown in FIG. 6, a central dividing wall 82 extends downwardly from abottom surface 84 of the support platform 20. The dividing wall 82provides greater stability to the frame 14 and physically separates thefirst container 16 from the second container 18 when they are in theretracted position. The dividing wall 82 also separates the frame 14into a first portion 86 and a second portion 88, as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the first portion 86 of the frame 14 has afirst pair of slots 90 formed in the support platform 20 adjacent andaligned lengthwise with the side walls 40 of the frame 14. A supportledge 92 depends downwardly from an exterior side of each slot 90. Eachsupport ledge 92 has a vertical component 94 and a horizontal component96, with the vertical component 94 connecting the ledge 92 to thesupport platform 20 and the horizontal component 96 extendingorthogonally from the vertical component 94. Each support ledge 92includes a catch 98 disposed at an end of the horizontal component 96near the central dividing wall 82. In addition, a rail 100 dependsdownwardly from an interior side of each slot 90. The support ledge 92and the rail 100 of each slot 90 define a sliding space 102 in which thefirst container 16 may fit, thereby enabling the first container 16 toslide between the retracted position and the protracted position. Thecatches 98 of the support ledges 92 help retain the first container 16in the retracted position thereby preventing the first container 16 frominadvertently moving from the retracted position to the protractedposition.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the second portion 88 of the frame 14similarly has a second pair of slots 104 formed in the support platform20 adjacent and aligned lengthwise with the side walls 40 of the frame14. A support ledge 106 depends downwardly from an exterior side of eachslot of the second pair of slots 104. Each support ledge 106 has avertical component 108 and a horizontal component 110, with the verticalcomponent 108 connecting the ledge 106 to the support platform 20 andthe horizontal component 110 extending orthogonally from the verticalcomponent 108. Each support ledge 106 includes a catch 112 disposed atan end of the vertical component 108 near the central dividing wall 82.In addition, a rail 114 depends downwardly from an interior side of eachslot of the second pair of slots 104. The support ledge 106 and the rail114 of each slot define a sliding space 116 in which the secondcontainer 18 may fit, thereby enabling the second container 18 to slidebetween the retracted position and the protracted position. The catches112 of the support ledges 106 help retain the second container 18 in theretracted position, thereby preventing the container 18 frominadvertently moving from the retracted position to the protractedposition.

The frame 14 further includes feet 118 with rubber inserts disposed ateach of four corners of the frame 14. Although the present embodimentincludes rubberized feet, it is contemplated that the frame may includealternative features for preventing the frame from skidding or movingwhile the cutting board assembly is being used. For example, analternative feature may include a rubber rim around the bottom of theframe. Moreover, many non-skid features are available for use withvarious contemplated embodiments of the cutting board assembly.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first container 16. The firstcontainer 16 has a bottom 200 and oppositely disposed side walls 202 andoppositely disposed end walls 204, 206 extending from a periphery 208 ofthe bottom 200 thereby defining a holding area 210 in which food itemsmay be placed. The side walls 202 are shorter in length than the endwalls 204,206 and define a width of the container 16, and the end walls204,206 define a length of the container 16. The walls 202,204,206 ofthe container 16 have lower edges 212, which are connected to the bottom200 of the container 16, and upper edges 214, which form a periphery 216about a top of the container 16. Because the container 16 is to beretracted and protracted from the first end 22 of the frame 14, thecontainer 16 is oriented such that the side walls 202 of the container16 are adjacent the side walls 40 of the frame 14 when the container 16is in the retracted position. In this orientation, the container 16 hasan exterior end wall 206 and an interior end wall 204. The exterior endwall 206 has a gripping element 218 extending there from. The grippingelement 218 aids in moving the container 16 between the retracted andprotracted positions. In this embodiment, the gripping element 218comprises a handle.

The exterior end wall 206 also has a measuring element 220 connected toit. The measuring element 220 is aligned widthwise with the exterior endwall 206 and has measurement increments 222 marked thereon. In thepresent embodiment, the measurement increments 222 are indented hashmarks made in quarter cup increments with numerical indicators providedat the hash marks designating whole cup increments. Although themeasuring element 220 is separate from the exterior end wall 206 in thisembodiment, it is contemplated that the measuring element 220 may beincorporated into the exterior end wall 206. When the first container 16is in the retracted position, the measuring element 220 fits into thecutaway portion 76 at the first end 36 of the support platform 20 suchthat the exterior end wall 206 of container 16 is flush with the endmember 54 at the first end 22 of the frame 14.

A ledge 224 having a lip 226 at a rim thereof extends around the topperiphery 216 of the container 16. Portions 228 of the ledge 224 thatcorrespond with the side walls 202 of the container 16 are configured tobe slidably supported by the support ledges 92 and rails 100 of thefirst slots 90 of the frame 14. More specifically, each side wall ledgeportion 228 slides into the sliding space 102 between the support ledge92 and rail 100 of the appropriate slot 90 thereby enabling the firstcontainer 16 to slide between a retracted position and a protractedposition. The lip 226 at the rim of the container ledge 224 hooks ontothe catch 98 of the support ledge 92 when the container 16 is in theretracted position, thereby preventing the container 16 frominadvertently sliding to the protracted position. However, when a userpulls the handle or other gripping element 218 of the container 16, thelip 226 is pulled over the catch 98 and the container 16 may be moved tothe protracted position.

When the container 16 is in the retracted position, the holding area 210is completely covered by the support platform 20 of the frame 14 and theexterior end wall 206 is flush with the exterior surface 62 of the endmember 54 at the first end 22 of the frame 14. The exterior side wall206 and the handle 218 attached thereto are accessible when the firstcontainer 16 is in the retracted position. When the container 16 is inthe protracted position, the entire holding area 210 is accessible. Thecontainer 16 remains connected to the frame 14 when it is in theprotracted position, with the ledge 224 of the interior end wall 204connected to the frame 14 at this point. It should be noted that thecontainer 16 may be detached from the frame 14 as desirable. Suchdetachability allows the container 16 to be easily cleaned or moved to adifferent location if the circumstances dictate it. The container 16 maybe easily reconnected to the frame 14 by sliding the ledge side wallportions 228 into the sliding space 102 of the appropriate first slots90.

The container 16 further includes a first partition 230 and a secondpartition 232, with each having upper 234, side 236 and lower 238peripheral edges. The partitions 230,232 are configured so that they mayfit within the container 16 when it is in both the retracted andprotracted positions. The partitions 230,232 are identical, so only onewill be described herein. The partition is configured to transect theholding area 210 of the container 16 lengthwise thereby enabling avolume of the holding area 210 to be varied with movement of thepartition. The lower 238 and side 236 peripheral edges are dimensionedto fit adjacent an interior surface of the holding area 210 when thepartition is placed in the holding area 210. When the partition is inthe container 16, the upper edge 234 is aligned with the top 216 of thecontainer 16. The upper edge 234 meets the side edges 236 at uppercorners of the partition, comprising an interior upper corner 240 and anexterior upper corner 242.

The exterior upper corner 242 of the partition has a measurementindicator 246 provided thereon. In the present embodiment, themeasurement indicator 246 is an arrow. Because the partition may bemoved axially along the width of the container, the measurementindicator 246 of the partition may be aligned with the hash marks 222 ofthe measurement element 220 to enable a user to determine a volume offood items placed in the container 16. It will be obvious that in orderto accurately measure the volume of food, the partition should be slidtoward the appropriate side wall of the container 16 until the fooditems in the container 16 completely fill the volume enclosed by thepartition in the holding area 210. It will also be obvious that becausethere are two partitions, up to three holding areas or “compartments”may be defined in the first container 16 by the partitions 230,232,i.e., a first compartment being defined by a first side wall 202 and thefirst partition 230; a second, central compartment being defined by thefirst and second partitions 230,232, and a third compartment beingdefined by the second partition 232 and a second side wall 202. Thevolume of food items placed in the multiple compartments may bedetermined in a similar fashion as described above. Simple subtractionmay be needed to determine the volume in the central compartment if oneof the partitions 230,232 is not aligned with a whole cup markingincrement.

The measurement indicator 246 is located on an extension piece 248 thatextends from the exterior upper corner 242 of the partition. Theextension piece 248 is supported on the ledge 224 of the exterior sidewall 206 of the container 16. As such, the extension piece 248 providesfurther stabilization for the partition when it is placed in thecontainer 16. It is contemplated that the extension piece 248 may have alip depending downwardly there from that would fit under the lip of theledge 224. It is further contemplated that the partition may include ahooking element that fits over and is supported by the ledge 224 of theinterior end wall 204 of the container 16 such that the partition mayslide axially along the ledge 224 from one side wall 202 of thecontainer 16 to the other.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second container 18. The secondcontainer 18 has a bottom 300 and oppositely disposed side walls 302 andan exterior end wall 304 extending from a periphery 306 of the bottom300 to define a holding area 308 of the second container 18 in whichfood items may be placed. An interior end 320 of the second container 18is not enclosed; therefore, the second container 18 is in the form of ascoop. The side walls 302 define a width of the container 18, and theexterior end wall 304, along with the partition 78 of the frame 14,define a length of the container 18. The relationship of the framepartition 78 with the second container 18 will be described in greaterdetail herein below.

The walls 302,304 of the container 18 have lower edges 310, which areconnected to the bottom 300 of the container 18, and upper edges 312,which form a partial periphery about a top 314 of the container 18.Because the container 18 is retracted and protracted from the second end24 of the frame 14, the container 18 is oriented such that the sidewalls 302 of the container 18 are adjacent the side walls 40 of theframe 14 when the container 18 is in the retracted position.

Similarly to the first container 16, the exterior end wall 304 of thesecond container 18 has a gripping element 316 extending there from. Thegripping element 316 aids in moving the container 18 between theretracted and protracted positions. In this embodiment, the grippingelement 316 is a handle. In addition, the second container 18 has agroove 318 formed in the bottom 300 thereof near the interior end 320 ofthe container 18. The groove 318 extends widthwise along the bottom 300of the container 18 and is intended to capture any liquids or fluidsassociated with food items placed in the second container 18.

A ledge 322 extends orthogonally from the upper edge 312 of each sidewall 302 of the container. A notched recess 324 is formed near aninterior end 326 of each ledge 322. The ledges 322 are configured to beslidably supported by the support ledges 106 and rails 114 of the secondslots 104 of the frame 14. More specifically, each side wall ledge 322slides into the sliding space 116 between the support ledge 106 and rail114 of the appropriate slot 104 thereby enabling the second container 18to slide between a retracted position and a protracted position. Thenotched recess 324 of each ledge 322 hooks on the catch 112 of thesupport ledge 106 when the container 18 is in the retracted positionthereby preventing the container 18 from inadvertently sliding to theprotracted position. However, when a user pulls the handle or othergripping element 316 of the container 18, the notched recess 324 ispulled past the catch 112 and the container 18 may be moved to theprotracted position.

When the second container 18 is in the retracted position, the holdingarea 308 is covered by the support platform 20 of the frame 14. Further,most of the second container 18 is disposed interior to the frame 14,with only the exterior end wall 304 and handle 316 being accessible.When the second container 18 is in the protracted position, the holdingarea 308 is accessible. Further, in the protracted position, most of thesecond container 18 is disposed exterior to the frame 14. The secondcontainer 18 remains connected to the frame 14 in the protractedposition, with some portion of the side wall ledges 322 being slidablyfitted in the sliding spaces 116 between the support ledges 106 andrails 114 of the second slots 104 of the frame 14. Similarly to thefirst container 16, the second container 18 may be detached from theframe 14 if desired. It may be easily reconnected to the frame 14 bysliding the side wall ledges 322 back into the sliding spaces 116 of thesecond slots 104.

The side wall ledges 322 have measurement increments 328 marked thereon.In the present embodiment, the measurement increments 328 are indentedhash marks made in quarter cup increments with numerical indicatorsprovided at the hash marks designating whole cup increments. Themeasurement increments 328 allow a user to determine the volume of fooditems placed in the second container 18.

As mentioned previously, the frame partition 78 at the second end 24 ofthe frame 14 has a relationship with the second container 18. When thesecond container 18 is connected to the frame 18, the side walls 302 andbottom 300 thereof fit within the unshaped slot 80 at the second end 24of the frame 14. As such, the frame partition 78 provides an enclosinginterior end wall for the second container 18 when it is connected tothe frame 14. Therefore, for the second container 18, the retracted andprotracted positions designate the minimum and maximum volume that theholding area 308 may contain. The volume of the holding area 308 of thesecond container 18 is made variable by the frame partition 78 when thesecond container 18 is slid inwardly and outwardly relative to the frame14. Further, the volume of food items placed in the container 18 may bemeasured using the measuring increments 328 marked on the side ledges322 of the container 18. The measurement should be read at the pointwhere the frame partition 78 transects the measuring increment 328. Itwill be obvious that in order to accurately measure the volume of food,the container 18 should be slid inwardly toward the frame 14 until thefood items in the container 18 completely fill the volume of the holdingarea 308, i.e., the food items should cover the bottom 300 of thecontainer 18 and fill the volume such that they reach the top of thecontainer. It is at this point that the measurement increment 328 at theintersection of the frame partition 78 should be read.

In use, the cutting board assembly 10 may be used with the containers16,18 in their retracted or protracted positions. For illustrativepurposes, use of the cutting board assembly 10 will be described withthe first and second containers 16,18 in the protracted position. Aperson using the cutting board assembly 10 places a food item to be cuton the cutting board 12 and begins cutting it with an available cuttinginstrument such as a knife. As food items are cut, the user may slidecut food items into either the first 16 or the second container 18. Thisaction clears off the cutting board 12 so that its top surface 26 isunobstructed for further cutting. The cut food items are convenientlyheld in one of the containers 16,18 until they are needed.

In one exemplary scenario, assume that the cut food items have been slidfrom the cutting board surface 26 to the second container 18. The secondcontainer 18 may be slid inwardly or outwardly from its protractedposition until the cut food items fill the volume of the holding area308. The volume of cut food items may then be determined by reading themeasurement increment 328 at the point where the frame partition 78transects the measurement increment 328 on one of the side wall ledges322.

In another exemplary scenario, assume that the cut food items have beenslid from the cutting board surface 26 to the first container 16. Morespecifically, the cut food items have been moved to a first holding areaof the first container 16. Then a different food item is cut into piecesand this second cut food item is slid from the cutting board surface 26to a second holding area of the first container 16. The first cut fooditem is separated from the second cut food item in the first container16 by the first partition 230. The volumes of each cut food item may bedetermined using the measurement increments 222 of the measuring element220 and the measurement indicators 246 of the partitions 230,232.

With the cutting board assembly 10, up to four different kinds of fooditems may be cut and stored separately in the first and secondcontainers 16,18. In addition, the volume of each of these four cut fooditems may be measured while they are stored in the containers 16,18.

Often, a food item is cut so that it may be used as an ingredient in arecipe. The food item may need to be added to other ingredients in amixing bowl or in a pot, pan or other cooking container. In thissituation, the cutting board assembly 10 may be used to cut the fooditem, measure the food item, and transport the food item to the mixingbowl or cooking container where it is needed. The cut food item may betransported by moving the entire cutting board assembly 10 to the mixingcontainer or cooking container, or more conveniently, may be transportedby removing the container 16,18 in which the cut food item is held andpouring or dumping the cut food item from the cutting board assemblycontainer 16,18 into the mixing container or cooking container.

In addition, the first container 16 may serve as a storage compartmentfor food items that have been cut. The first container 16 may store fooditems therein in its retracted positions and, alternatively, the firstcontainer 16 may serve as a storage compartment itself, separate fromthe frame 14, especially when covered with a lid or flexible sheet ofmaterial. Further, it is contemplated that the first container 16 may beused for storage of tools such as knives, peelers, and the like when thecutting board assembly 10 is not being used and the first container 16is retained in the retracted position within the frame 14 of the cuttingboard assembly 10.

In a contemplated feature of one or more preferred embodiments, thecontainers 16,18 may be held in the protracted position with flex tabs.With this feature, the containers 16,18 may be removed from the frame 14by pressing down the flex tabs and detaching the containers 16,18.

The cutting board assembly 10 avoids messy transitions that may occur inmoving cut food from the cutting board 12 to a measuring container andthen again to a cooking or mixing container. The cutting board assembly10 represents a self-contained system that provides a cutting board 12free from obstruction; provides a container 16 for holding cut foodsthat may be stored within the cutting board assembly 10; and provides ameans for measuring the volume of cut food that is well suited to bulky,solid food items.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

1. A cutting board assembly, comprising: (a) a cutting board; (b) aframe for supporting the cutting board thereon; and (c) a drawer havinga length, a width, and a depth defining a containment space forcontaining food therein, and having measuring increments marked along alength or a width thereof; (d) wherein the drawer is supported by theframe for sliding movement between a retracted position, in which thedrawer is substantially retained within the frame and the containmentspace is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in which thecontainment space is substantially uncovered; and (e) wherein a volumeof food retained within the containment space may be measured using theincrements marked along the length or the width of the drawer.
 2. Thecutting board assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first partitionconfigured to transect the containment space of the drawer.
 3. Thecutting board assembly of claim 2, wherein the first partition definestwo compartments of the drawer on either side thereof.
 4. The cuttingboard assembly of claim 3, wherein the first partition is movablerelative to the drawer, whereby a volume of one of the compartments ofthe drawer may be reduced in order to fill the volume of the compartmentwith food and thereby measure the food within the compartment.
 5. Thecutting board assembly of claim 2, wherein the first partition comprisesa wall that is movable relative to the frame and is attached to thedrawer for movement relative thereto.
 6. The cutting board assembly ofclaim 2, further comprising a second partition configured to transectthe volume of the drawer in order to define two compartments of thedrawer on either side of the second partition.
 7. The cutting boardassembly of claim 6, wherein the second partition is movable relative tothe drawer.
 8. The cutting board assembly of claim 2, wherein the firstpartition comprises a wall of the frame, and wherein the drawer ismovable relative to the first partition when measuring a volume of foodcontained within the drawer.
 9. The cutting board assembly of claim 8,wherein the drawer comprises a scoop.
 10. The cutting board assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the frame comprises a support platform on which thecutting board is supported and a peripheral top rim that defines a topopening through which the cutting board is seated on the supportplatform.
 11. The cutting board of claim 1, wherein the drawer isremovable from the frame of the cutting board assembly.
 12. A cuttingboard assembly, comprising: (a) a cutting board; (b) a frame includingopposite side walls and a support platform supporting the cutting boardthereon; and (c) a drawer supported by the frame at a side wall thereof,the drawer having a bottom and opposite side walls and opposite endwalls extending from a periphery of the bottom to define a containmentspace; (d) wherein a partition divides the containment space of thedrawer to define two compartments of the drawer, the partition beingmovable relative to the drawer to vary the volume of each of thecompartments of the drawer; and (e) wherein the drawer is supported bythe frame for sliding movement between a retracted position, in whichthe drawer is substantially retained within the frame and thecontainment space is substantially covered, and a protracted position,in which the containment space is substantially uncovered.
 13. Thecutting board assembly of claim 12, further comprising measuringincrements enabling measurement of a volume of food retained within atleast one of the compartments of the container defined by the movablepartition.
 14. The cutting board assembly of claim 12, wherein the framefurther comprises a peripheral top rim defining a top opening throughwhich the cutting board is seated on the support platform.
 15. A cuttingboard assembly, comprising: (a) a cutting board; (b) a frame includingopposite side walls and a support platform supporting the cutting boardthereon; and (c) a scoop supported by the frame at a side wall thereof,the scoop having a bottom, opposite side walls, and an end wallextending from a periphery of the bottom and defining a containmentspace that is open at one end of the scoop; (d) wherein the scoop issupported by the frame for sliding movement between a retractedposition, in which the scoop is substantially retained within the frameand the containment space is substantially covered, and a protractedposition, in which the containment space is substantially uncovered; and(e) wherein the frame includes a partitioning wall extending downwardlyfrom an end edge of the support platform, the partitioning wall beingdisposed in fixed disposition relative to the frame and extending withinthe containment space to define an end wall of the containment space ofthe scoop when the scoop is in the protracted position.
 16. The cuttingboard assembly of claim 15, further comprising a collection troughdisposed in the bottom of the scoop for containing liquids or fluidsassociated with cut food items retained in the scoop.
 17. The cuttingboard assembly of claim 15, wherein the frame further comprises aperipheral top rim defining a top opening through which the cuttingboard is seated on the support platform
 18. The cutting board assemblyof claim 15, wherein the cutting board defines an uninterrupted,generally rectangular cutting surface.
 19. The cutting board assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the frame includes support ledges to facilitatemovement of the scoop between the retracted position and the protractedposition.
 20. The cutting board of claim 15, wherein the scoop isremovable from the frame of the cutting board assembly.
 21. The cuttingboard assembly of claim 15, further comprising a second container thatis received and retained in the frame concurrently with the scoop beingreceived and retained within the frame.